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Jollyboys Backpackers

3.0 star property

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your current months are January, 2025 and February, 2025.
January 2025
February 2025

Photo gallery for Jollyboys Backpackers

Outdoor pool
Bar (on property)
Outdoor pool
Garden
Outdoor pool

Reviews

8.6 out of 10

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Free airport shuttle
  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Pool
  • Breakfast available
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
34 Kanyanta Road, Livingstone
  • Livingstone Museum
    2 min walk
  • Mukuni Park Curio Market
    9 min walk
  • Agape Restaurant
    1 min walk
  • Livingstone (LVI)
    8 min drive

Room options

View all photos for Room, Multiple Beds (9 Bed Private Dorm)

In-room safe, bed sheets

Room, Multiple Beds (9 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Sleeps 9
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds and 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Room (6 Bed Private Dorm)

In-room safe, bed sheets

Room (6 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Sleeps 6
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Women only

In-room safe, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Women only

  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Room (7 Bed Private Dorm)

In-room safe, bed sheets

Room (7 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Sleeps 7
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (8 Bed Dormitory)

In-room safe, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (8 Bed Dormitory)

  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Single Shared Bathroom

In-room safe, bed sheets

Single Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Twin Beds OR 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Quadruple Room, Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Quadruple Room, Ensuite

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Triple Room, Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Triple Room, Ensuite

  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Double Room, Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Double Room, Ensuite

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Double Room, Shared Bathroom

In-room safe, bed sheets

Double Room, Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Twin Room, Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Twin Room, Ensuite

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Single Room Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Single Room Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Twin Beds OR 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

In-room safe, bed sheets

Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Room, Multiple Beds

In-room safe, bed sheets

Room, Multiple Beds

  • Sleeps 8
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Triple Room, Shared Bathroom

Triple Room, Shared Bathroom | In-room safe, bed sheets

Triple Room, Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

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About this property

Jollyboys Backpackers

3-star Livingstone hostel steps from Livingstone Museum
This hostel features an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a bar/lounge. Free WiFi in public areas, free self parking, and free airport pick-up are also provided. Other amenities include a snack bar/deli, massage/treatment rooms, and a refrigerator in a common area.
Jollyboys Backpackers offers 30 accommodations with safes and ceiling fans. Accommodations are furnished with single sofa beds. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Recreational amenities at the hostel include an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the onsite spa services. There are 2 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include deep-tissue massages, Swedish massages, and manicures and pedicures.
Dining options at the hostel include a restaurant and a snack bar/deli. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access. A shuttle from the airport to the hotel is complimentary to guests (available 24 hours). This Livingstone hostel also offers an outdoor pool, spa services, and a terrace. Complimentary self parking is available on site.

Jollyboys Backpackers has designated areas for smoking.

Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 6:30 AM and noon.
Onsite venue - This restaurant specializes in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour free airport pick-up shuttle on request
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 6:30 AM to noon for a fee: USD 5 to 8 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Books
  • Outdoor pool
  • Table tennis
  • TV in common areas

Conveniences

  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Spa

  • 2 treatment rooms
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible airport shuttle
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Single sofa bed

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 8 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport; guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 8 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 8 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children 9 and younger are not allowed at this property; All guests older than 9 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 5 to 8 per person

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Long-term renters welcome
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Children 9 years old and younger are not permitted at this property

Property is also known as

Jollyboys Backpackers Hostel Livingstone
Jollyboys Backpackers Hostel
Jollyboys Backpackers Livingstone
Jollyboys Backpackers
Jollyboys Backpackers Livingstone
Jollyboys Backpackers Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Jollyboys Backpackers Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 74 out of 156 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 58 out of 156 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 16 out of 156 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 156 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 156 reviews" "

8.2/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Outstanding stay
Thank you Jollyboys for an amazing time in Livingstone. Sam, Lloyd and Moyo were always most helpful. Memory too was very kind and knowledgeable. Even though the country overall is struggling with load shedding, Jollyboys did a wonderful job with making sure we had electricity. The most that i can remember being without was 4 fours hours in the dorm but light was still available near and around the bar. The bar/restaurant has really good food (the chicken sandwiches with fries, the free veggie dinner and the french toast with eggs) and the portions were good. Be sure to speak with staff on arrival about interested activities because some bucket list items dont happen everyday (rafting/Chobe). I'd recommend Jollyboys over and over as a quality, clean and cost conscience accommodation in Livingstone. I did visit a competitor which was not bad, however it was not as nice as Jollyboy's.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Mark

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great feel about place and very helpful staff
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Abhay

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cristina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great thanks!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Pamela

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Nice time
Our room was very nice - the beds were comfortable and the room was nicely decorated . The downside was that the bathroom door did not have a latch, so it would not stay closed. Also the bath mat was not very clean. The breakfast was good and we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Raesibe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Jollyboys could do with more TLC
Jollyboys was the first hostel in Livingstone which I can appreciate. Pros: The staff were absolutely amazing, Moyo, Mallias, George to name a few. Those people are gems. Thank you to the staff for also arranging my activities and ensuring that I explored Livingstone. The restaurant had great food and a nice vibe during the day. Cons: The WiFi does not reach the rooms. I booked a private room and yet I could only use the WiFi when I was in the common areas, this was highly inconvenient. The bathrooms need help. Between the showers, and the actual toilets you could tell that it was all old and could do with a facelift. My overall stay at Jollyboys was okay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Eurico

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very safe and quiet area. Good vibes. Clean and the workers were friendly and helpful all the time. Will come back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Khushnidjon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good price-quality ratio!
Very nice experience! Good location, clean rooms, nice territory, affordable prices, both - rooms and kitchen/bar. Price-quality ratio is high. You get quality for the price you pay here.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

LUIZ F

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Jolly’s
Absolute bliss!! It’s my home away from home! The staff is amazing
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Jolly’s
Absolute bliss!! It’s my home away from home! The staff is amazing
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Understandable why Jollyboys is a back-to-back top hostel champ. Great staff. Chill space.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

CS

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

Milan

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not worth it, best years have passed
I recommend to avoid this place. The hotel/hostel has passed its best years, now it is rusty and dirty place with typical slow service. We got a room with filthy, beaten-up mattresses, incorrectly placed mosquito nets which smell musty and are full of holes. Upon request of the room change we were offered an upgrade for 35$/night, without a receipt and update of hotels.com booking. The shared bathroom is disgusting, no soap provided (even at the shared toilets). The restaurant service was slow, offering nothing special. Avoid paying extra 8$ for a breakfast through hotels.com - the price only includes one dish from the menu where the most expensive one is 4,5$ and coffee is 1,5$. It’s just a rip off. They do not offer any compensation of unused breakfast or package in the morning before departure for activities (despite organised via the hotel).
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kallie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 15 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were very helpful with booking transfers and activities. Lots to do in the area
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very well run and nice amenities. A/C in the dorm was a huge plus. It’s a very social place, great for meeting other guests and locals. Staff is fantastic. You can’t help but enjoy it here.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Rirhandzu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
awesome stay
It was amazing , the receptionist has the best service. the outside showers need to be washed every now and then because they were dirty
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mr M

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent Stay
Really good stay. Great value for money. Brought the family which is not what one usually does with a hostel/backpackers type place, but it was great and I would do it again. Well run and managed by staff - very helpful all around. I will probably need to go back down to Livingstone again in December and will stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff here were amazing and always helpful with booking and suggestions. Loved the bar/restaurant in Jollyboys, made lazy days so easy
Stayed 9 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

ms vivian

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

REGINALD

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really enjoy this hotel. And I will definitely stay there again one when I come back to Livingston. It is great for everyone, backpacker, families, solo travelers, nomads.

6/10 Okay

Tamika

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Pros: 1. Walkable distance from the town centre. 2. Budget friendly 3. Easily accessible Cons: 1. Not very sanitary, the bathroom had hair on the walls in the shower stall. 2. Incorrectly listed rooms. The Ensuite is listed as having a flat screen TV and it turns out "all the ensuite rooms don't come with a TV."

8/10 Good

Sway

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a nice stay here. We had a private room and it was clean and quiet. It’s very cute in the main area of the hostel. The staff is very helpful in booking activities and calling taxis. They are helpful and nice. One thing is I feel that some of the prices for the activities is too high so instead of relying directly on the hostel, I would suggest calling other companies yourself and then booking the activity with a the place with the lowest price. Overall it is a great place and I would highly recommend.